Fidelity evaluation framework for planetary mission simulators: Part-II: Developing the framework

Other conference contribution, 2007

This paper is second in a series, to establish a comprehensive, credible and usable framework to guide the design and evaluation of Planetary Mission Simulators. This framework consists of a set of tools, referred to as Framework Elements (FE). The FE format comprises checklists, matrices, and schematics. The framework is intended for use by engineers, designers and simulation controllers to identify and address simulator and simulation fidelity issues. The Framework Elements have been derived from research conducted during the European Space Agency sponsored Phase-A Study for a future European Facility for Integrated Planetary Exploration Simulation (FIPES) and a survey of simulation subjects (simonauts) that collected fidelity-critical experiential data documented in the prequel to this paper. The paper concludes with a discussion on the usefulness and limitations of each of the Framework Elements proposed and an introduction to the sequel to this paper that intends to demonstrate the applicability of this framework in the context of present and future simulators.